Jeff Bezos' Amazon stake dips below 10% for first time as sell-off streak continues

Core Insights - Jeff Bezos' ownership stake in Amazon has fallen below 10% for the first time in the company's history, now holding approximately 9% of outstanding shares after selling over 100 million shares in the past year [1][4][20] Ownership Changes - A year ago, Bezos owned about 10.1% of Amazon, down from over 43% when the company went public in 1997 [2][7] - Bezos' divestments are part of a broader stock-selling spree that began after he stepped down as CEO in 2021, when he held about 14% of the company [4][23] - In February, Bezos filed to sell 25 million shares, potentially netting around $5 billion, followed by another filing in August for an additional 25 million shares worth an estimated $5.4 billion [5][4] Financial Performance - Amazon's stock has increased by 38% since late April, providing a favorable opportunity for Bezos to liquidate portions of his holdings [5] Wealth Status - Despite the sell-offs, Bezos remains one of the world's wealthiest individuals, with a net worth of approximately $240 billion, trailing only Elon Musk and Bernard Arnault [8] Focus on Other Ventures - Following his exit from Amazon's CEO position, Bezos has shifted focus to other ventures, including The Washington Post and Blue Origin, both of which have seen management changes recently [12][13] - Bezos aims to revitalize The Washington Post, which has undergone significant restructuring, including staff cuts and a shift to a digital-first approach [14][20] Philanthropic Activities - Bezos has donated over 500,000 Amazon shares to charity in recent months and has expressed intentions to give away most of his wealth during his lifetime [5][16] Ex-Wife's Stake Reduction - MacKenzie Scott, Bezos' ex-wife, has also reduced her Amazon stake by about 42% over the past year, equating to roughly $12.6 billion [17][19]